Food cooking apparatus including a removable cooking inner pot

Abstract

The invention relates to a food cooking apparatus comprising a housing (10), at least one cooking inner basket (21), at least one stirring blade (30), characterized in that the food cooking apparatus has a first operating mode with blades, characterized in that the at least one cooking inner basket (21) is arranged in removable engagement with a blade tube, and a second operating mode without blades, and in that the at least one cooking inner basket or at least another cooking inner basket is arranged in engagement with a basket drive to drive the at least one cooking inner basket (21) in rotation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a cooking apparatus, and more particularly, to a cooking apparatus comprising a removable inner cooking tub to provide a first operating mode having a stationary inner cooking tub and a second operating mode having a rotating inner cooking tub. Background Technology

[0002] Cooking devices with removable cooking inner pots are known in the prior art, such as those described in document EP1978855B1. On the other hand, such systems have the disadvantage of not having the possibility of rotating the cooking inner pot; if this option were to be provided, an intermediate tray must be added. This results in a loss of space in the cooking space, thus limiting the volume of food to be cooked, and also increases manufacturing costs and requires the preparation of an additional tray. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of the prior art, and in particular, to provide a cooking device including a removable cooking inner pot, thereby providing a first operating mode with a stationary cooking inner pot and a second operating mode with a rotating cooking inner pot, which limits the loss of space inside the cooking chamber and / or complexity and / or manufacturing cost.

[0004] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention relates to a food cooking apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

[0005] -case,

[0006] - At least one cooking inner tub with a central hole, said inner tub being removably mounted in the housing to hold food to be cooked.

[0007] - At least one stirring blade, the stirring blade being removably mounted on or through the central hole of the at least one cooking inner pot, for stirring the food to be cooked contained in the at least one cooking inner pot.

[0008] - A drive mechanism, arranged to pass through a central hole in the cooking inner tub and connect to a stirring blade, to drive the stirring blade to rotate within at least one cooking inner tub.

[0009] The food cooking equipment is characterized by having:

[0010] - A first operating mode with blades, wherein the at least one cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a blade tube, wherein when the stirring blade is installed in the at least one cooking inner tub, the blade tube is arranged at least between the at least one cooking inner tub and the central portion of the stirring blade, the blade tube may include an indexing member arranged to engage with the housing to provide at least one rotation stop for the at least one cooking inner tub, and

[0011] - A second operating mode without blades, characterized by:

[0012] i. When the blade tube and stirring blades are removed from the cooking device, the at least one cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a basket drive including an interface coupled to a drive mechanism to drive the at least one cooking inner tub to rotate, or

[0013] ii. When the blade tube and stirring blade are removed from the cooking device, at least one other cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a basket drive including an interface connected to a drive mechanism in order to drive the at least one other cooking inner tub to rotate.

[0014] The cooking apparatus according to the above embodiments includes a blade tube that allows the inner cooking tub to remain stationary relative to the housing. Additionally, the cooking apparatus according to the above embodiments includes a basket actuator that can cooperate with the inner cooking tub (or another inner cooking tub) and allows rotation of either the inner cooking tub or the other inner cooking tub. Therefore, two operating modes of the apparatus can be provided: one with a stationary inner cooking tub, and the other with a rotating inner cooking tub.

[0015] It should be noted that two different cooking containers can be prepared, thus providing the following three configurations.

[0016] - First, the same cooking inner tub can engage with a blade tube or a basket actuator, thereby allowing for two operating modes: one with a stationary cooking inner tub and movable stirring blades, and the other with a rotating cooking inner tub without stirring blades. In this case, for the first operating mode, the blade tube includes an indexing member arranged to engage with the housing to provide at least one rotation stop to the at least one cooking inner tub.

[0017] - Alternatively, the first cooking inner tank, which is stationary relative to the device, can house either the stirring blades (first operating mode) or a second cooking inner tank driven by a basket drive (second operating mode). It is advantageous to position the second cooking inner tank within the first cooking inner tank.

[0018] - Alternatively, two interchangeable cooking containers can be prepared, each dedicated to a specific operating mode.

[0019] All these easy-to-use and easy-to-implement components improve the performance of cooking equipment.

[0020] In other words, one aspect of the present invention relates to a food cooking apparatus, comprising:

[0021] -case,

[0022] - A cooking inner tub with a central opening, which is removably mounted within the housing to hold food to be cooked.

[0023] - At least one stirring blade, arranged removably mounted on or through a central hole in the cooking inner tub, to stir the food to be cooked contained within the cooking inner tub.

[0024] - A drive mechanism, arranged to pass through a central hole in the inner cooking vessel and connect to the stirring blades, to drive the stirring blades to rotate within the inner cooking vessel.

[0025] The food cooking equipment is characterized by having:

[0026] A first operating mode with blades, wherein the cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a blade tube, the blade tube being arranged between the cooking inner tub and a central portion of the stirring blade when the stirring blade is installed in the cooking inner tub, the blade tube including an indexing member arranged to engage with a housing to provide at least one rotation stop for the cooking inner tub, and

[0027] A second operating mode without blades, wherein when the blade tube and stirring blades are removed from the cooking device, the cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a basket driver including an interface connected to a drive mechanism to drive the cooking inner tub to rotate.

[0028] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a food cooking apparatus.

[0029] include:

[0030] -case,

[0031] - A first cooking inner tub with a central opening, the inner tub being removably mounted within the housing to hold food to be cooked.

[0032] - At least one stirring blade, arranged removably and mounted on a central hole in the first cooking inner container, for stirring the food to be cooked contained in the at least first cooking inner container.

[0033] - A drive mechanism, arranged to pass through the center hole of the first cooking inner tub and connect to the stirring blades, to drive the stirring blades to rotate within the first cooking inner tub.

[0034] The food cooking device is characterized by comprising a blade tube, a second cooking inner tub with a central hole, and a basket drive, to have:

[0035] A first operating mode with blades, wherein the first cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a blade tube, the blade tube being arranged between the first cooking inner tub and a central portion of the stirring blade when the stirring blade is installed in the first cooking inner tub, the blade tube including an indexing member arranged to engage with a housing to provide at least one rotation stop for the cooking inner tub, and

[0036] A second operating mode without blades, wherein when the blade tube and stirring blades are removed from the cooking device, the second cooking inner tub is arranged to removably engage with a basket driver including an interface connected to a drive mechanism to drive the second cooking inner tub to rotate.

[0037] Advantageously, the basket drive has an upper surface extending at a height less than or equal to a plane in which the bottom surface of the at least one or more cooking inner tubs extends. In other words, the basket drive is aligned with or flush with the bottom of the cooking inner tub in which it is mounted. Therefore, the cooking space is optimal for the same cooking inner tub switching between a first and a second operating mode, and the cooking space is consistent when using either the first or second operating mode. It should be noted that when the device is placed on a horizontal working surface, this height is taken in the vertical direction, and the top of the basket drive is not higher than the bottom of the cooking container.

[0038] Advantageously, the center hole of the at least one cooking inner tub or the at least one other cooking inner tub has a notch or countersunk hole, in which the basket drive is positioned. Such a notch or countersunk hole is easy to manufacture (usually by stamping).

[0039] Advantageously, the blade tube and / or basket actuator are both arranged to engage with the at least one cooking inner tub via an embedded connection defining six degrees of freedom relative to the at least one cooking inner tub. The connection between the cooking inner tub and the blade tube and / or basket actuator is robust.

[0040] Advantageously, the blade tube and / or basket actuator include a threaded retaining interface. Such a tightening interface is easy for consumers to use.

[0041] Advantageously, the food cooking device includes a tubular nut arranged to screw onto the blade tube, thereby clamping the at least one cooking inner tub between the tubular nut and, for example, the shoulder of the blade tube, and the tubular nut forming an indexing member arranged to engage with the housing of the device to provide a stop or indexage en rotation. The tubular nut combines the functions of fixing and rotating the indexing member. Advantageously, the tightening direction and the rotation direction are opposite to avoid any untimely loosening (that is, the torque applied by the stirring blades and the food being stirred within the cooking inner tub tends to tighten the tubular nut).

[0042] Advantageously, the food cooking device includes a basket drive nut arranged to screw onto a basket drive, thereby clamping the at least one or at least another cooking inner tub between the basket drive nut and, for example, the shoulder of the basket drive, and the basket drive nut does not have an indexing member arranged to engage with the housing of the device. The cooking inner tub is thus rotatable.

[0043] Advantageously, the blade tube and / or basket actuator includes a snap-fit ​​retaining interface for mounting the blade tube and / or basket actuator to the at least one or more cooking inner tubs by rotational movement, preferably:

[0044] - The basket drive is installed in the opposite direction to the rotation of the stirring blades.

[0045] - If the blade tube is not anchored to the housing, the installation direction of the blade tube is similar to the rotation direction of the stirring blade.

[0046] - If the blade tube includes anchoring to the housing, such as a swivel stop, the blade tube is installed in the opposite direction to the rotation of the agitator blades. Pin-type connections are easy to operate and provide a good, embedded connection with locking / unlocking via a constraint point, typically provided by the elastic deformation of a tab or wall.

[0047] Advantageously, the food cooking apparatus includes a sealing mechanism, such as an O-ring, arranged to provide a seal between the at least one cooking inner tub or the at least one other cooking inner tub and the drive mechanism. This O-ring is typically arranged between the blade tube and a portion of the housing, or between the basket drive and a portion of the housing, or between the associated cooking inner tub and the blade tube and / or basket drive or a portion of the housing. Multiple O-rings may be provided at different locations within the assembly.

[0048] Advantageously, the blade tube includes at least one guide portion forming, for example, a bearing, arranged to withstand the forces applied by the stirring blades. This bearing on the blade tube allows for effective guidance and positioning, thereby ensuring no interfering friction from the stirring blades on the cooking inner pot. Advantageously, the height of the bearing is less than 20% of the total height of the blade tube. Therefore, the portion of the blade tube that must have precise dimensions is limited.

[0049] Advantageously, the guide portion, forming, for example, a bearing, is arranged at the upper end of the blade tube. This allows for the effective absorption of the overturning torque of the stirring blades.

[0050] Advantageously, the central portion of the stirring blade passes through the blade tube and includes a mechanism connected to the drive mechanism.

[0051] Advantageously, the connecting mechanism is arranged at the lower end of the central portion and forms or includes, for example, a drive nut.

[0052] Advantageously, the at least one cooking inner pot or the at least another cooking inner pot has a flat bottom or a bottom with a height difference of less than 10 mm.

[0053] Advantageously, food cooking equipment includes a heating mechanism.

[0054] Advantageously, the heating mechanism includes a ventilation mechanism arranged to generate a flow of hot air over the food to be cooked.

[0055] Advantageously, the heating mechanism is arranged above the cooking space, preferably in the lid of the inner cooking pot.

[0056] Advantageously, the food cooking device includes a removable or movable lid relative to the cooking device, which is arranged to close the cooking space above the at least one cooking inner barrel or the at least one other cooking inner barrel.

[0057] Advantageously, the food cooking apparatus includes an inner tub support member removable from the cooking inner tub and arranged to accommodate the at least one or more cooking inner tubs, and includes at least one gripping handle for a user to hold. During operation of the apparatus according to a first or second operating mode, the inner tub support member typically remains stationary. The gripping handle allows manipulation of the inner tub support member to place or remove the cooking inner tub from the cooking apparatus.

[0058] Advantageously, the inner tub support includes a support structure for the at least one or at least one cooking inner tub, the support structure having at least one retaining flange arranged to engage with the edge of the at least one or at least one cooking inner tub, and disposed on a side of the inner tub support opposite to a gripping handle, the gripping handle being movable relative to the support structure between a resting position and an operating position, in which assembly / disassembly of the at least one or at least one cooking inner tub in the support structure is possible, and in the operating position, the edge of the gripping handle forms a barrier for engaging with the retaining flange to prevent assembly / disassembly of the at least one or at least one cooking inner tub. In the resting position of the handle, the cooking inner tub can be released from the inner tub support; however, in the operating position, the handle forms a barrier, thereby locking the cooking inner tub in the inner tub support.

[0059] Advantageously, the food cooking device includes at least one rolling element arranged between the support structure and the at least one cooking inner tank or the at least one other cooking inner tank.

[0060] The at least one rolling element can be arranged on the inner barrel support. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] Figure 1 A perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0063] Figure 2 The configuration according to the first operating mode is shown. Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view of the cooking equipment;

[0064] Figure 3 It shows Figure 2 Details of the cross-section.

[0065] Figure 4 A perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to a second operating mode of the present invention is shown;

[0066] Figure 5 A partial cross-sectional view of the cooking device according to the second operating mode is shown;

[0067] Figure 6 A view is shown for providing an alternative embodiment of a cooking apparatus according to a first operating mode;

[0068] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6An alternative embodiment, wherein the cooking device is configured according to a second operating mode;

[0069] Figure 8 It shows Figure 6 and Figure 7 A first schematic diagram of the inner barrel support component of the equipment;

[0070] Figure 9 It shows Figure 6 and Figure 7 The second schematic diagram of the inner barrel support component of the equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0071] Figure 1 A food cooking apparatus with a housing 10 is shown, which is capable of accommodating a cooking inner pot 21 and is equipped with a lid (not shown) that can move between an open position and a closed position to define a cooking space in which the cooking inner pot 21 is located.

[0072] Cooking equipment is typically equipped with a heating mechanism for cooking food contained in a cooking inner pot 21. The heating mechanism may be configured to cook by convection, arranged to generate and maintain a flow of hot air within the cooking space, specifically directed towards the interior of the cooking inner pot 21 and the food placed therein. For this purpose, the heating mechanism may include a fan and one or more heating resistors.

[0073] The cooking equipment is also equipped with a stirring mechanism, such as stirring blade 30, and a drive mechanism 40, which is arranged to drive the stirring blade to rotate in the inner cooking pot 21.

[0074] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the cooking equipment to clearly show the stirring blades 30, the inner cooking container 21, and the drive mechanism 40.

[0075] In detail, the drive mechanism 40 includes an electric motor 43 (e.g., a geared motor) with a drive shaft 42, on which a drive nut 41 is mounted. The stirring blade 30 includes a central portion 31 that engages with the drive nut 41 through a central hole in the inner cooking pot 21 so that the stirring blade 30 can be driven to rotate.

[0076] The drive mechanism is located below the inner cooking pot 21 and below the wall of the housing 10, such that only the drive nut 41 is visible when the inner cooking pot 21 is removed from the cooking appliance. The inner cooking pot 21 includes a base 25 that allows the inner cooking pot 21 to be placed on the wall of the housing 10 while keeping the drive nut 41 at or nearly level with the bottom of the inner cooking pot.

[0077] exist Figure 2In the cross-section, it can also be noted that the cooking device includes a blade tube 50, to which the inner cooking container 21 is connected, and the blade tube is arranged between the inner cooking container 21 and the central portion 31 of the stirring blade 30.

[0078] like Figure 3 As shown, the blade tube 50 is installed through the center hole of the cooking inner pot 21 via a snap-fit ​​mounting interface. Lugs 52 of the blade tube 50 can be seen, for example, engaging within the housing of the base 25. This snap-fit ​​mounting interface allows for easy installation / removal of the blade tube 50 for cleaning or for storing the cooking inner pot.

[0079] It is also conceivable to directly fix the blade tube 50 to the housing 10 via a snap-fit ​​interface, or via a threaded connection or elastic nesting.

[0080] The blade tube 50 also includes a shoulder 53 (or skirt) fitted into a countersunk hole or recess in the inner cooking pot 21, the shoulder 53 being at the same level as the bottom of the inner cooking pot 21. Figure 3 An O-ring 51 is also shown, which forms a sealing device between the blade tube 50 and the base 25 of the cooking inner pot 21.

[0081] At the upper end of the blade tube 50, an elbow forms a guide bearing 54 to contact the stirring blade 30 and withstand the forces introduced during the rotation of the stirring blade 30. This elbow has a relatively low height to limit the area where the dimensions must be sufficiently precise.

[0082] Therefore, once the blade tube 50 and the stirring blade 30 are installed on the cooking device and in the cooking inner pot 21, the cooking device can operate in the first operating mode, where the cooking inner pot 21 is stationary and the stirring blade 30 rotates in the cooking inner pot 21 with a precise and stable position. This is because the blade tube 50 is installed in the cooking inner pot 21 in an embedded manner, and the blade tube can withstand the force and guide the stirring blade 30 (the guide bearing 54 is positioned above the blade tube, opposite to the drive nut 41).

[0083] The cooking equipment can also offer a second operating mode, in which the inner cooking pot rotates. For this purpose, Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 The food cooking device shown is equipped with a second cooking inner pot 22.

[0084] Figure 5A cross-section of a second cooking inner tub 22 is shown. This inner tub also includes a center hole and is equipped with a basket actuator 60, which is clamped or anchored to the second cooking inner tub 22 by an elastic ring 63. The elastic ring prevents the basket actuator 60 from being removed by abutting against the lower edge of the second cooking inner tub forming the center hole. Alternatively, installation can be achieved, for example, by tightening a nut.

[0085] The basket driver 60 also includes a finger 62 (or lug) that fits into an opening in the second cooking inner pot 22 to provide a rotation stop between the basket driver 60 and the second cooking inner pot 22. An O-ring 65 is located between the basket driver 60 and the second cooking inner pot 22 to form a sealing mechanism between the basket driver 60 and the second cooking inner pot 22 (preventing liquid batter or oil from flowing between the basket driver 60 and the second cooking inner pot 22). The basket driver 60 includes an upper surface that fits into a notch or countersunk hole in the second cooking inner pot 22, so that the bottom of the second cooking inner pot 22 is generally flat and continuous, without any bumps or protrusions, so that the user can perfectly place pies on the bottom of the second cooking inner pot 22.

[0086] Finally, the basket drive 60 includes a plurality of ribs 64 fitted into a lower central bore to engage with the drive nut 41 of the cooking device. Thus, when the user places the second cooking inner tub 22 equipped with the basket drive 60 into the cooking inner tub 21 (after the stirring blades 30 and blade tube 50 have been removed), a rotating cooking inner tub (second cooking inner tub 22) with a flat bottom or at least without bulges can be provided.

[0087] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be noted that the cooking inner pot 21 supports the roller 26 on its upper edge, which will allow the second cooking inner pot 22 to rotate without friction and imbalance even if the food is not evenly or dispersedly distributed in the second cooking inner pot 22.

[0088] Figure 6 An alternative embodiment of the cooking apparatus is shown, wherein the same cooking inner tub can be installed in the following manner:

[0089] - Remain stationary, providing the first operating mode (stationary cooking inner tub and rotating agitator blades).

[0090] -Keep rotating to provide a second operating mode (rotating cooking inner pot, no stirring blades required).

[0091] For this purpose, the inner cooking tub 23 can removably receive the blade tube 50A through a central hole, on which a tubular nut 56 can be screwed to clamp the inner cooking tub 23 in the middle. The tubular nut 56 is configured to engage with the housing 10 of the cooking appliance to prevent the inner cooking tub 23 from rotating. Alternatively, the blade tube 50A can be screwed directly onto the housing 10.

[0092] The inner tub support 70 is configured to house the cooking inner tub 23 within the cooking appliance. It includes a gripping handle 71 hinged around axis 71B between a resting position and an operating position, and a support structure 72 supporting the cooking inner tub 23. The stirring blade 30 is the same as in the aforementioned embodiment and may cover the blade tube 50A.

[0093] According to this embodiment, the user can thus connect the blade tube 50A on the inner cooking tub 23 to the tubular nut 56 to form an embedded connection between the three components. Then, with the inner tub support 70 installed in the housing 10, the user can place the inner cooking tub 23 in the housing 10 by engaging the tubular nut 56 in the housing 10 to prevent any possibility of rotation between the housing 10 and the inner cooking tub 23. Finally, the stirring blade 30 can be placed on the blade tube 50A to engage with the drive nut 41 of the drive mechanism 40, thus preparing the cooking device to operate according to a first operating mode: a stationary inner cooking tub 23 and a rotating stirring blade 30.

[0094] Figure 7 The configuration proposed to ensure the second operating mode is shown. At this time, the cooking inner pot 23 (with...) Figure 6 The same receiving basket driver 60A is also connected by screwing a drive nut 67 onto the cooking inner pot 23, but this drive nut does not include any engagement function or part with the housing 10, and therefore it is completely free to rotate relative to the housing 10. Alternatively, a snap-fit ​​fixing can be provided.

[0095] Therefore, once the container support 70 is placed in the cooking device, the user can place the cooking inner tub 23 in the cooking device (the cooking inner tub 23 rests on the roller 73 provided on the support structure 72 so that it can be easily pivoted), so that the basket drive 60A engages with the drive nut 41 of the drive mechanism 40, and prepare the cooking device to operate according to the second operating mode: the rotating cooking inner tub 23 without the need for the stirring blade 30.

[0096] In the same manner as described above, the cooking inner pot 23 has a flat bottom, except for a countersunk hole, notch, or shoulder in its center to accommodate the basket drive 60A, such that the basket drive is flush with the rest of the bottom of the cooking inner pot 23: the cooking inner pot 23 thus has a flat, nearly flat, or at least no central bulge at the bottom. This facilitates baking pies or cakes in it.

[0097] Figure 8 The inner tub support 70 and the cooking inner tub 23 are schematically shown, with the grip handle 71 in the resting position. The cooking inner tub 23 can be mounted in the support structure 72, particularly below the retaining flange 74 of the support structure 72.

[0098] Figure 9 The grip handle 71 is shown in the operating (or unfolded) position, with its edge 71A blocking the inner cooking container 23, which is already engaged below the retaining flange 74. This ensures that the inner cooking container 23 cannot detach from the support structure 72. The user can remove the entire cooking device from the support structure 72 and safely pour out the contents of the inner cooking container 23 without the risk of separation.

[0099] According to the above implementation method, special attention should be paid to:

[0100] - The blade tube 50 or 50A can be removed from the cooking inner pot 21 or 23.

[0101] -The cooking inner pot 21, 22 or 23 includes a center hole with a notch or countersunk hole.

[0102] - The basket driver 60 or 60A is accommodated in a notch or countersunk hole.

[0103] Even with the basket drive 60 or 60A, the cooking inner tub 21, 22, or 23 does not have a central bulge.

[0104] - The cooking inner pot 21, 22 or 23 has a flat bottom, or an effective diameter that is flat in the range of at least 50% of its outer diameter, preferably at least 65% of its outer diameter, and even more preferably in the range of at least 75% to 80% of its outer diameter. However, it is expected that there will be a small slope at the bottom of the cooking inner pot towards the inside or towards the outside, or a level difference of less than 10 mm.

[0105] Therefore, pies or cakes can be easily baked in the cooking inner tub using the second operating mode (rotating inner tub, no stirring blades required). Configuring the cooking device to provide the first operating mode (stationary cooking inner tub and rotating stirring blades) is quick and easy. The same cooking inner tub or two cooking inner tubs can be prepared to ensure smooth switching from the first to the second operating mode.

[0106] It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A food cooking apparatus comprising: - a housing (10), - at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) comprising a central hole, said cooking inner basket being removably mounted in said housing (10) to contain food to be cooked, - at least one stirring blade (30) arranged to be removably mounted on or through the central hole of said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) so as to stir the food to be cooked contained in said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23), - a drive mechanism (40) arranged to be coupled with said stirring blade (30) through the central hole of the cooking inner basket (21; 23) to drive said stirring blade (30) in rotation in said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23), characterized in that said food cooking apparatus has: - a first operating mode with blade, wherein said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) is arranged to be removably engaged with a blade tube (50; 50A); said blade tube (50; 50A) is arranged at least between said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) and a central portion (31) of said stirring blade (30) when said stirring blade (30) is mounted in said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23); said blade tube (50; 50A) comprises indexing means arranged to be engaged with said housing (10) so as to provide said at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) with at least one rotational stop, and - a second operating mode without blade, wherein: i. when said blade tube (50A) and said stirring blade (30) are detached from said cooking apparatus, said at least one cooking inner basket (23) is arranged to be removably engaged with a basket driver (60A) comprising an interface coupled to said drive mechanism (40) so as to drive said at least one cooking inner basket (23) in rotation, or ii. when said blade tube (50) and said stirring blade (30) are detached from said cooking apparatus, at least one other cooking inner basket (22) is arranged to be removably engaged with a basket driver (60) comprising an interface coupled to said drive mechanism (40) so as to drive said at least one other cooking inner basket (22) in rotation. The height of the upper surface of said basket driver (60; 60A) is less than or equal to the bottom surface of said at least one cooking inner basket (23) or said at least one other cooking inner basket (22).

2. The food cooking apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by, The central hole of said at least one cooking inner basket (23) or said at least one other cooking inner basket (22) has a notch or a counterbore in which said basket driver (60; 60A) is positioned.

3. The food cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, Said blade tube (50; 50A) and / or said basket driver (60; 60A) are each arranged to be engaged with said at least one cooking inner basket (21, 22; 23) by means of a connection of the embedded type defining 6 degrees of freedom with respect to said at least one cooking inner basket (21, 22; 23).

4. The food cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, ​ 5. The food cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The blade tube (50; 50A) and / or the basket driver (60; 60A) comprises a threaded fixing interface.

6. The food cooking apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by The device comprises a tubular nut (56) arranged to be screwed on the blade tube (50A) so as to clamp the at least one cooking inner basket (23) between the tubular nut (56) and a shoulder of the blade tube (50A), and the tubular nut (56) forms an indexing member arranged to engage with a housing (10) of the device to provide a stop or a rotational indexer.

7. The food cooking apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The device comprises a basket drive nut (67) arranged to be screwed on the basket driver (60A) so as to clamp the at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) or the at least another cooking inner basket (22) between the basket drive nut (67) and a shoulder of the basket driver (60A), and the basket drive nut (67) does not have an indexing member arranged to engage with a housing (10) of the device.

8. The food cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The blade tube (50; 50A) and / or the basket driver (60; 60A) comprises a bayonet fixing interface so as to mount the blade tube (50; 50A) and / or the basket driver (60; 60A) on the at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) or the at least another cooking inner basket (22) by a rotational movement.

9. The food cooking device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a sealing mechanism arranged between the at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) or at least another cooking inner basket (22) and the drive mechanism (40) to provide a seal.

10. The food cooking apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by, The sealing mechanism is an O-ring (51, 65).

11. The food cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, A central portion (31) of the stirring blade (30) passes through the blade tube (50; 50A) and comprises a mechanism coupled with the drive mechanism (40).

12. The food cooking apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) or the another cooking inner basket (22) has a flat bottom, or a bottom with a height difference of less than 10 mm.

13. The food cooking device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a heating mechanism.

14. The food cooking device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a removable or movable lid arranged to close a cooking space above the at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) or the at least another cooking inner basket (22).

15. The food cooking device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, comprising an inner basket support (70) removable from the cooking device and arranged to house the at least one cooking inner basket (21; 23) or the at least another cooking inner basket (22), and comprising at least one gripping handle (71) to be grasped by a user.

16. The food cooking apparatus according to claim 15, characterized by Said inner drum support (70) comprises a support structure (72) of said at least one cooking inner drum (21; 23) or of said at least one further cooking inner drum (22) having at least one retaining flange (74) arranged to engage with an edge of said at least one cooking inner drum (21; 23) or of said at least one further cooking inner drum (22) and disposed on a side of said inner drum support (70) opposite to said gripping handle (71), and said gripping handle (71) is movable with respect to said support structure (72) between a rest position, in which assembly / disassembly of said at least one cooking inner drum (21; 23) or of said at least one further cooking inner drum (22) in said support structure (72) can be performed, and an operating position, in which an edge of said gripping handle (71) forms an obstacle for cooperating with said retaining flange (74) to prevent assembly / disassembly of said at least one cooking inner drum (21; 23) or of said at least one further cooking inner drum (22) in said support structure (72).

Images