Hot air cooking type cooking equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooking appliance (1) comprising: a cooking chamber (3); a ventilator (7) configured to generate an air flow in the cooking chamber (3); a drive unit (9) configured to drive the ventilator (7) in rotation; an upper heating device (8) configured to heat the air flow generated by the ventilator (7); and a separating element (13) configured to be located in the cooking chamber (3). The cooking apparatus (1) has: a first configuration of use in which the cooking apparatus (1) comprises a first cooking compartment (14) and a second cooking compartment (15), the first cooking compartment (14) and the second cooking compartment (15) being delimited by the cooking chamber (3) and the separating element (13); and a second configuration of use in which the cooking appliance comprises a single main cooking compartment, which is at least partially delimited by the cooking chamber (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a cooking device for cooking food, and in particular to a multi-cooking device using at least one hot air cooking function. Background Art

[0002] Document US2022 / 0202239 discloses an electric cooking device for cooking food, in particular according to a hot air cooking mode. This electric cooking device comprises:

[0003] - a first cooking compartment and a second cooking compartment, which are independent of each other, ie fluidly separated from each other, and define respectively a first and a second cooking zone, which are separate from each other;

[0004] - first and second ventilators configured to generate a first air flow in the first cooking compartment and a second air flow in the second cooking compartment, respectively; and

[0005] - a first and a second heating device configured to heat the generated first and second air flows, respectively.

[0006] Such an electric cooking device allows cooking food in the first and second cooking compartments with different cooking types, different temperatures and different cooking times.

[0007] However, the sizes of the first and second cooking compartments do not allow cooking a large amount of food at a time, nor do they allow cooking of bulky dishes, unless the electric cooking device has a size margin, which will significantly increase the manufacturing cost and volume of the electric cooking device. Summary of the invention

[0008] The technical problem on which the invention is based is in particular to provide a cooking device for cooking food, in particular according to a hot air cooking mode, which is compact and versatile, while allowing to cook large quantities of food at once and while allowing to cook different foods simultaneously in separate cooking compartments.

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a cooking device configured to cook food, the cooking device comprising:

[0010] - Cooking room;

[0011] - a ventilator configured to generate an air flow in the cooking chamber;

[0012] - a driving unit, the driving unit being configured to drive the ventilator to rotate;

[0013] - a heating device associated with the ventilator and configured to heat the air flow generated by the ventilator;

[0014] - a lower heating device configured to heat the cooking chamber; and

[0015] - A separating element, which is configured to be located in the cooking chamber.

[0016] The cooking device has: a first use configuration, in which the cooking device includes a first cooking compartment and a second cooking compartment, the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment being defined by the cooking chamber and the separation element, and in which the food arranged in the first cooking compartment can be heated by at least one of the upper heating device and the lower heating device, and the food arranged in the second cooking compartment can be heated by at least one of the upper heating device and the heating device; and a second use configuration, in which the cooking device includes a single main cooking compartment, the single main cooking compartment being at least partially defined by the cooking chamber, and in which the food arranged in the main cooking compartment can be heated by both the upper heating device and the lower heating device.

[0017] This configuration of the cooking device allows cooking of food arranged in the first and second cooking compartments with different cooking types, different temperatures and different cooking times when the cooking device is in the first use configuration, and allows cooking of food contained in large dishes or large amounts of food in the main cooking compartment when the cooking device is in the second use configuration.

[0018] The cooking device according to the invention thus allows cooking very different foods while being compact.

[0019] The cooking device may also have one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in combination.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device is in the second use configuration, the main cooking compartment is directly and simultaneously exposed to the upper heating means and the lower heating means.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device is in the first use configuration, the first and second cooking compartments are independent of each other, i.e. fluidly separated from each other. Advantageously, the separation element is configured to fluidly separate the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment (i.e. prevent fluid communication between the first and second cooking compartments through the separation element) when the cooking device is in the first use configuration.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device is of oven type.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the invention, the main cooking compartment has a cooking volume that substantially corresponds to the sum of the cooking volumes of the first and second cooking compartments. The ratio of the cooking volume of the main cooking compartment to the sum of the cooking volumes of the first and second cooking compartments may be, for example, between 1.1 and 1.2.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises a control unit configured to control the operation of the cooking device according to a hot air cooking mode. Thus, the cooking device is configured to cook food contained in the cooking chamber, such as in the main cooking compartment or in at least one of the first and second cooking compartments, according to the hot air cooking mode.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention, the separation element is configured to separate, ie divide, the cooking chamber into the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment when the cooking device is in the first usage configuration.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation element forms at least one wall, such as a side wall, an upper wall or a lower wall, of each of the first and second cooking compartments.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation element has a general plate shape and may be, for example, a separation plate.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation element is metallic.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking chamber comprises an access opening and the cooking device comprises a door, the door being movable between a closed position, in which the door closes the access opening and blocks access to the cooking chamber, and an open position, in which the door releases the access opening and allows access to the cooking chamber. When the door occupies the open position and the cooking device is in the first use configuration, the door allows access to the first and second cooking compartments simultaneously, and when the door occupies the open position and the cooking device is in the second use configuration, the door allows access to the main cooking compartment.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device includes: a first door, which is associated with the first cooking compartment and can be moved between a closed position and an open position, in which the first door blocks access to the first cooking compartment and in which the first door allows access to the first cooking compartment; and a second door, which is associated with the second cooking compartment and can be moved between a closed position and an open position, in which the second door blocks access to the second cooking compartment and in which the second door allows access to the second cooking compartment.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the door is mounted to be pivotable about a pivot axis which is substantially horizontal when the cooking device rests on a horizontal surface. Advantageously, the pivot axis is located near the lower front edge of the frame of the cooking device.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first door and the second door are mounted to be pivotable about a pivot axis, which is substantially horizontal when the cooking device rests on a horizontal surface.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises a first cooking container and a second cooking container, wherein the first cooking container and the second cooking container are configured to receive food to be cooked and are configured to be received at least partially in the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment, respectively. Advantageously, the first cooking container and the second cooking container are configured to be introduced into the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment, respectively, via the access opening.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first cooking container and the second cooking container are independent of each other and can be independently removed from the cooking chamber.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first cooking container and the second cooking container are configured to allow the door or the first door and the second door to be freely displaced between the closed position and the open position when the first cooking container and the second cooking container are respectively located inside the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present invention, each of the first cooking container and the second cooking container includes a container body and a grip handle detachably fixed to the corresponding container body.

[0037] This configuration of the present invention allows the first and second cooking containers to be inserted into the interior of the cooking chamber and then the grip handles to be removed without unnecessarily blocking the cooking chamber or hindering the closing of the door or the first and second doors.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the invention, each gripping handle at least partially extends towards the front surface of the corresponding container body.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first cooking container and the second cooking container form a first cooking drawer and a second cooking drawer, respectively.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper heating device is arranged in the upper part of the cooking apparatus.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating device is positioned facing the cooking chamber. Such an arrangement of the upper heating device allows to toast the food contained in the main cooking compartment or in at least one of the first and second cooking compartments at the end of cooking.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention, the upper heating device comprises a resistive heating element.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the lower heating device is arranged in the lower part of the cooking device. The lower heating device can be arranged, for example, in the lower part of the cooking chamber.

[0044] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower heating device comprises a resistive heating element.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device is in the first use configuration, the separation element is configured to permit the air flow generated by the ventilator to flow into the first cooking compartment and to prevent the air flow from flowing into the second cooking compartment.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device has a first variant of the first usage configuration, in which the separation element is configured to extend substantially horizontally and the first and second cooking compartments are configured to be arranged superimposed on each other when the cooking device is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0047] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device is in a first variant of the first configuration of use, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment can be heated only by the upper heating device, and the food arranged in the second cooking compartment can be heated only by the lower heating device. In other words, when the cooking device is in the first variant of the first configuration of use, the first cooking compartment is directly exposed only to the upper heating device, and the second cooking compartment is directly exposed only to the lower heating device.

[0048] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device is configured to generate a hot air flow only in the first cooking compartment when the cooking device is in the first variant of the first configuration of use.

[0049] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device has a second variant of the first usage configuration, in which the separation element is configured to extend substantially vertically, and the first and second cooking compartments are configured to be arranged side by side with each other when the cooking device is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0050] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device is configured to generate a first hot air flow in the first cooking compartment and a second hot air flow in the second cooking compartment, respectively, when the cooking device is in the second variant of the first use configuration.

[0051] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises: two ventilators, the two ventilators being configured to generate a first air flow in the first cooking compartment and a second air flow in the second cooking compartment, respectively; and two upper heating devices, the two upper heating devices being respectively associated with the two ventilators and being configured to heat the first and second air flows generated by the two ventilators, respectively. Advantageously, the two upper heating devices are configured to be positioned facing the first and second cooking compartments, respectively.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises two lower heating devices configured to heat the cooking chamber and respectively associated with the first and second cooking compartments.

[0053] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device is in the second variant of the first use configuration, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment can be heated by both the corresponding upper heating device and the corresponding lower heating device, and the food arranged in the second cooking compartment can be heated by both the corresponding upper heating device and the corresponding lower heating device. In other words, when the cooking device is in the second variant of the first use configuration, the first cooking compartment is directly and simultaneously exposed to the corresponding upper heating device and the corresponding lower heating device, and the second cooking compartment is directly and simultaneously exposed to the corresponding upper heating device and the corresponding lower heating device.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises two separate drive units respectively associated with the two ventilators.

[0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device includes a user interface, which is, for example, arranged on the frame of the cooking device, and the user interface is configured to allow a user to select at least one working parameter of the cooking device, and for example, at least one working mode of the cooking device.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating element is removable, the separating unit being located in the cooking chamber when the cooking device is in the first configuration of use and being removable from the cooking chamber, i.e. located outside the cooking chamber, when the cooking device is in the second configuration of use. Such a configuration of the separating element allows limiting the manufacturing costs of the cooking device while allowing easy cleaning of the separating element.

[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating element is configured to be inserted into and removed from the cooking chamber via the access opening.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separating element is mounted to be movable in the cooking chamber between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the separating element and the cooking chamber define at least the first cooking compartment and the second cooking compartment; in the second position the separating element and the cooking chamber define the single main cooking compartment. This configuration of the separating element allows a user to easily displace the cooking device between the first and second use configurations.

[0059] According to an embodiment of the invention, the decoupling element is configured to be manually displaced between the first and second positions.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises a displacement mechanism configured to displace the separation element between the first and second positions.

[0061] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user interface is configured to allow the user to select a use configuration of the cooking device from the first and second use configurations. Advantageously, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the displacement mechanism according to the use configuration selected by the user so that the separation element is automatically displaced between the first and second positions.

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the separation element is mounted so as to be translationally movable relative to the frame of the cooking device in a displacement direction, for example so as to be slidable.

[0063] According to one embodiment of the invention, the displacement direction extends substantially perpendicularly to the extension plane of the separation element.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device rests on a horizontal surface, the displacement direction is substantially horizontal.

[0065] According to one embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device rests on a horizontal surface, the displacement direction is substantially vertical.

[0066] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the door extends substantially perpendicularly to the displacement direction.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis of the door extends substantially parallel to the displacement direction.

[0068] According to an embodiment of the invention, the separating element is configured to form a bottom wall of the main cooking compartment when the separating element occupies the second position.

[0069] According to an embodiment of the invention, the separating element is configured to form a side wall of the main cooking compartment when the separating element occupies the second position.

[0070] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the separating element comprises a gripping portion configured to be gripped by a user. The presence of such a gripping portion allows the user to easily move the separating element between the first and second positions or to easily remove the separating element from the cooking chamber.

[0071] According to one embodiment of the invention, the lower heating device is configured to be covered by the separation element when the separation element occupies the second position.

[0072] According to an embodiment of the invention, the cooking device comprises a steam generating device configured to generate a steam flow in the cooking chamber.

[0073] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the cooking device is in the first usage configuration, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device, and / or the food arranged in the second cooking compartment can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device, and when the cooking device is in the second usage configuration, the food arranged in the main cooking compartment can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device.

[0074] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the cooking device according to a steam cooking mode, and in particular to control the operation of the cooking device according to hot air and steam cooking modes simultaneously.

[0075] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the steam generating device independently of the operation of the upper heating device and / or the lower heating device when the cooking device is in the first usage configuration or in the second usage configuration.

[0076] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to control the operation of the steam generating device and simultaneously control the operation of the upper heating device and / or the lower heating device when the cooking device is in the first use configuration or in the second use configuration. In other words, the cooking device is configured to perform cooking combining the use of the steam generator, the upper heating device and the ventilator in the first cooking compartment and to perform cooking using only the lower heating device, for example, in the second cooking compartment at the same time. This configuration of the invention allows to perform different cooking simultaneously in the same cooking device and thus save time when performing different cooking preparations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] The present invention will be clearly understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals correspond to structurally and / or functionally identical or similar elements.

[0078] Figure 1 is a partial perspective front view of a cooking device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the cooking device in a first variant of the first use configuration;

[0079] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective front view of a cooking device showing the removal of separate elements belonging to the cooking device;

[0080] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective front view of a cooking device showing the cooking device in a second use configuration;

[0081] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Another partial perspective front view of the cooking device of , showing the cooking device in a second use configuration;

[0082] Figure 5 is a partial perspective front view of a cooking device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the cooking device in a second variation of the first use configuration;

[0083] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A partial perspective front view of a cooking device showing the removal of separate elements belonging to the cooking device;

[0084] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A partial perspective front view of a cooking device showing the cooking device in a second use configuration;

[0085] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 Another partial perspective front view of the cooking device of , showing the cooking device in a second use configuration;

[0086] Fig. 9 is a partial perspective front view of a cooking device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, showing the cooking device in a first use configuration;

[0087] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 A partial perspective front view of a cooking device showing the cooking device in a second use configuration;

[0088] Fig.11 is a partial perspective front view of a cooking device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, showing the cooking device in a first use configuration;

[0089] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A partial perspective front view of a cooking device showing the cooking device in a second usage configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] In this document, the terms "lower part" and "upper part" used to describe the cooking device are with reference to the cooking device in use, ie resting on a horizontal surface.

[0091] Figures 1 to 4A cooking device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The cooking device 1 is configured to cook food, such as meat, fish, vegetables or other food products, in particular according to a hot air cooking mode.

[0092] The cooking device 1 comprises a frame 2 delimiting a cooking chamber 3 provided with an access opening 4, and a door 5 movable between a closed position, in which the door 5 closes the access opening 4 and blocks access to the cooking chamber 3, and an open position, in which the door 5 releases the access opening 4 and allows access to the cooking chamber 3. The door 5 may, for example, be mounted to be pivotable about a pivot axis, which is substantially horizontal when the cooking device 1 rests on a horizontal surface and which is advantageously located near the front lower edge of the frame 2.

[0093] The cooking device 1 further comprises a ventilator 7 configured to generate an air flow in the cooking chamber 3 and an upper heating device 8 configured to heat the air flow generated by the ventilator 7. Advantageously, the upper heating device 8 comprises a resistive heating element and is positioned facing the cooking chamber 3.

[0094] The cooking device 1 further comprises a drive unit 9, which is provided with a drive motor 11 and is configured to drive the ventilator 7 in rotation about a rotation axis. Advantageously, when the cooking device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, the rotation axis is substantially vertical. The ventilator 7 can be coupled to the output shaft of the drive motor 11, for example, directly in rotation, or coupled to the output shaft via a motion transmission mechanism, which is configured to transmit the rotational motion from the drive motor 11 to the ventilator 7.

[0095] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the drive unit 9 and the ventilator 7 are arranged above the upper heating device 8 and are not accessible to the user. The drive unit 9 and the ventilator 7 can, for example, be arranged in an inner housing which is arranged above the cooking chamber 3 and is bounded by the frame 2.

[0096] The cooking device 1 further comprises lower heating means 12 arranged in the lower part of the cooking chamber 3 and configured to heat the cooking chamber 3 by conduction. Advantageously, the lower heating means 12 comprises a resistive heating element.

[0097] The cooking device 1 further comprises a separation element 13, such as a separation plate, which is configured to be located in the cooking chamber 3. The separation element 13 may be metallic, for example.

[0098] The cooking device 1 more specifically has a first configuration of use in which the cooking device 1 comprises a first cooking compartment 14 and a second cooking compartment 15 which are delimited by a separation element 13 and a cooking chamber 3 and which are independent of one another, and a second configuration of use in which the cooking device 1 comprises a single main cooking compartment 16 which is at least partially delimited by the cooking chamber 3. Advantageously, the separation element 13 is configured to separate the cooking chamber 3 into the first cooking compartment 14 and the second cooking compartment 15 when the cooking device 1 is in the first configuration of use.

[0099] The first and second cooking compartments 14 , 15 may for example have the same or different cooking volumes and the same or different shapes, and the main cooking compartment 16 advantageously has a cooking volume substantially corresponding to the sum of the cooking volumes of the first and second cooking compartments 14 , 15 .

[0100] When the door 5 occupies the open position and the cooking device 1 is in the first use configuration, the door 5 allows access to the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15 via the access opening 4, and when the door 5 occupies the open position and the cooking device 1 is in the second use configuration, the door 5 allows access to the main cooking compartment 16 via the access opening 4.

[0101] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the separating element 13 is detachable and is configured to be inserted into and removed from the cooking chamber 3 via the access opening 4. The first use configuration of the cooking device 1 corresponds more specifically to a use configuration in which the separating element 13 is located in the cooking chamber 3, while the second use configuration of the cooking device 1 corresponds more specifically to a use configuration in which the separating element 13 is removed, i.e., is located outside the cooking chamber 3.

[0102] Advantageously, the cooking device 1 , more specifically the side wall of the cooking chamber 3 , may be provided with fixing means (not shown in the figures), such as fixing grooves or fixing slides or the like, which are configured to allow the side of the separation element 13 to be inserted and retained in the cooking chamber 3 .

[0103] According to the first embodiment of the invention, and therefore according to the first variant of the first configuration of use, the separation element 13 is configured to extend substantially horizontally, and the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15 are configured to be arranged one above the other when the cooking device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface and in the first configuration of use. Thus, the cooking device 1 is configured to generate a hot air flow only in the first cooking compartment 14 when the cooking device 1 is in the first configuration of use, and to generate a hot air flow in the main cooking compartment 16 when the cooking device 1 is in the second configuration of use.

[0104] According to the first embodiment of the invention, when the cooking device 1 is in the first variant of the first use configuration, the first cooking compartment 14 is directly exposed only to the upper heating device 8, and the second cooking compartment 15 is directly exposed only to the lower heating device 12. Therefore, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment 14 can be heated only or at least substantially by the upper heating device 8, and the food arranged in the second cooking compartment 15 can be heated only or at least substantially by the lower heating device 12.

[0105] The cooking device 1 also includes a control unit 17, which, for example, includes a controller, such as a microcontroller, or a processor, such as a microprocessor, and the control unit 17 is configured to control the cooking device 1, and in particular the operation of the upper heating device 8, the lower heating device 12, the drive motor 11 and the ventilator 7.

[0106] The control unit 17 is more specifically configured to control the operation of the cooking device 1 according to the hot air cooking mode. The user can then control the hot air cooking mode with the aid of a user interface provided on the frame 2, and the control unit 17 then controls the activation of the drive motor 11 so as to drive the ventilator 7 to rotate and generate an air flow in the cooking chamber 3, and also to supply power to the upper heating device 8 to heat the air flow. This cooking mode can be used, for example, to cook food contained in the main cooking compartment 16 when the cooking device 1 is in the second use configuration, or to cook food contained in the first cooking compartment 14 when the cooking device 1 is in the first use configuration. Food contained in the second cooking compartment 15 can be cooked by supplying power to the lower heating device 12.

[0107] The cooking device 1 according to the present invention also allows to bake the food contained in the main cooking compartment 16 or the first cooking compartment 14. For example, by selecting the baking cooking mode, the control unit 17 can control the stopping of the drive motor 11 at the end of the hot air cooking cycle while maintaining the power supply to the upper heating device 8, which ensures the baking cooking of the food due to the position of the upper heating device facing the cooking chamber 3.

[0108] Advantageously, the cooking device 1, and more specifically the side walls of the cooking chamber 3, can be provided with retaining means (not shown in the figures) which are configured to allow cooking accessories, such as cooking plates, cooking grills or drip pans, to be inserted and retained in the main cooking compartment 16 and in the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15.

[0109] In order to facilitate the removal and insertion of the separating element 13 in and out of the cooking chamber 3 , the separating element 13 may advantageously be provided with a gripping portion 18 which is configured to be gripped by a user.

[0110] Figures 5 to 8A cooking device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention and according to a second variant of the first use configuration is shown, which mainly differs from the first embodiment in that the separation element 13 is configured to extend essentially vertically and the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15 are configured to be arranged side by side with each other when the cooking device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface and is in the first use configuration.

[0111] According to a second embodiment of the invention, and therefore according to a second variant of the first configuration of use, the cooking device 1 is configured to generate a first hot air flow in the first cooking compartment 14 and a second hot air flow in the second cooking compartment 15, respectively, when the cooking device 1 is in the first configuration of use. To this end, the cooking device 1 comprises: two ventilators 7, which are configured to generate a first and a second air flow in the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15, respectively; and two upper heating devices 8, which are respectively associated with the two ventilators 7 and are configured to heat the first and the second air flow generated by the two ventilators 7, respectively. Advantageously, the two upper heating devices 8 are configured to be positioned facing the first and the second cooking compartments 14, 15, respectively. The control unit 17 is advantageously configured to control the two ventilators 7 independently and to control the two upper heating devices 8 independently.

[0112] According to the second embodiment of the invention, the cooking device 1 comprises two separate drive units 9 respectively associated with the two ventilators 7. However, according to an embodiment variant of the invention, the cooking device 1 may comprise a single drive unit 9 and therefore a single drive motor 11 configured to drive the two ventilators 7 in rotation simultaneously.

[0113] According to this embodiment of the invention, the cooking device 1 advantageously comprises two lower heating means 12 configured to be associated with the first and second cooking compartments 14 , 15 , respectively.

[0114] According to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the cooking device 1 is in the first use configuration, the first cooking compartment 14 is directly and simultaneously exposed to the upper heating device 8 and the lower heating device 12, and the second cooking compartment 15 is directly and simultaneously exposed to the upper heating device 8 and the lower heating device 12. Therefore, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment 14 can be heated by both the upper heating device 8 and the lower heating device 12, and the food arranged in the second cooking compartment 15 can be heated by both the upper heating device 8 and the lower heating device 12.

[0115] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 A cooking device 1 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown, which differs from the first embodiment mainly in that the separation element 13 is mounted so as to be movable in the cooking chamber 3 in a first position (see FIG. Fig. 9 ) and the second position (see Fig.10 ), in which the separating element 13 and the cooking chamber 3 define a first and a second cooking compartment 14, 15; and in which the separating element 13 and the cooking chamber 3 define a single main cooking compartment 16. Advantageously, the separating element 13 is mounted to be slidable relative to the frame 2 of the cooking device 1 along a displacement direction D extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of extension of the separating element 13.

[0116] according to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the third embodiment of the invention shown, the displacement direction D is substantially vertical, the pivot axis of the door 5 extending substantially perpendicularly to the displacement direction D when the cooking device 1 rests on a horizontal surface.

[0117] According to a third embodiment of the invention, the separating element 13 is configured to form a bottom wall of the main cooking compartment 16 and to cover the lower heating means 12 when the separating element 13 occupies the second position.

[0118] The decoupling element 13 may for example be configured to be manually displaced between the first and second positions.To facilitate gripping and displacement of the decoupling element 13 between the first and second positions, the decoupling element 13 is advantageously provided with a gripping portion 18 configured to be gripped by a user.

[0119] According to an embodiment of the invention, the cooking device 1 may include a displacement mechanism configured to automatically displace the separation element 13 between the first and second positions. To this end, the user interface is advantageously configured to allow the user to select a use configuration of the cooking device 1 from the first and second use configurations, and the control unit 17 is configured to control the operation of the displacement mechanism according to the use configuration selected by the user, so that the separation element 13 is automatically displaced between the first and second positions.

[0120] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A fourth embodiment of a cooking device 1 according to the invention is shown which differs from the second embodiment mainly in that the displacement direction D is substantially horizontal when the cooking device 1 rests on a horizontal surface and the pivot axis of the door 5 extends substantially parallel to the displacement direction D.

[0121] According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, the separating element 13 is configured to form a side wall of the main cooking compartment 16 when the separating element 13 occupies the second position.

[0122] According to an embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cooking device 1 can be configured to comprise more than two cooking compartments when it is in the first configuration of use.

[0123] According to one embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cooking device 1 may include: a first door associated with the first cooking compartment 14 and movable between a closed position, in which the first door blocks access to the first cooking compartment 14, and an open position, in which the first door permits access to the first cooking compartment 14; and a second door associated with the second cooking compartment 15 and movable between a closed position, in which the second door blocks access to the second cooking compartment 15, and an open position, in which the second door permits access to the second cooking compartment 15. Such a configuration of the cooking device 1 allows access to one of the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15 by opening the respective door, without affecting the cooking of food disposed in the other of the first and second cooking compartments 14, 15.

[0124] According to a variation of the previous embodiment, the cooking device 1 may comprise a first cooking container and a second cooking container configured to receive food to be cooked and configured to be received at least partially in the first cooking compartment 14 and the second cooking compartment 15, respectively.

[0125] Each of the first cooking container and the second cooking container includes a container body and a grip handle detachably fixed to the corresponding container body. This configuration of the present invention allows the first cooking container and the second cooking container to be inserted into the interior of the cooking chamber 3 and then the grip handle is removed so as not to unnecessarily block the cooking chamber and prevent the door from being closed.

[0126] Advantageously, the gripping handle provided for each of the first and second cooking vessels at least partially extends towards the front surface of the corresponding vessel body.

[0127] Furthermore, the first and second cooking containers are configured to permit the door or the first and second doors to freely displace between a closed position and an open position when the first and second cooking containers are located inside the first and second cooking compartments, respectively.

[0128] According to another embodiment of the invention not shown in the figures, the cooking device 1 comprises a steam generating device configured to generate a steam flow in the cooking chamber 3. More precisely, when the cooking device 1 is in the first use configuration, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment 14 can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device, and the food arranged in the second cooking compartment 15 can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device, and when the cooking device 1 is in the second use configuration, the food arranged in the main cooking compartment 16 can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device.

[0129] Furthermore, the control unit UC is configured to control the operation of the cooking device 1 according to the steam cooking mode, in particular to control the operation of the cooking device according to the hot air and steam cooking modes simultaneously. More specifically, the control unit UC is configured to control the operation of the steam generating device independently of the operation of the upper heating device 8 and / or the lower heating device 12 when the cooking device 1 is in the first use configuration or in the second use configuration.

[0130] For example, the cooking device 1 is configured to perform, for example, cooking combining the use of a steam generator, upper heating means 8 and ventilator 7 in the first cooking compartment 14, and simultaneously perform cooking using only the lower heating means 12 in the second cooking compartment 15. This configuration of the invention advantageously allows performing different cooking simultaneously in the same cooking device and thus saving time when performing different cooking preparations.

[0131] Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and shown merely by way of example. Modifications can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, in particular from the point of view of the composition of the various elements or by substituting technical equivalents.

Claims

1. A cooking device (1) configured to cook food, the cooking device (1) comprising at least: - cooking room (3); - a ventilator (7) configured to generate an air flow in the cooking chamber (3); - a driving unit (9), the driving unit (9) being configured to drive the ventilator (7) to rotate; - an upper heating device (8) associated with the ventilator (7) and configured to heat the air flow generated by the ventilator (7); - a lower heating device (12) configured to heat the cooking chamber (3); and - a separating element (13) which is configured to be located in the cooking chamber (3), The cooking device (1) has: a first use configuration, in which the cooking device (1) comprises a first cooking compartment (14) and a second cooking compartment (15), the first cooking compartment (14) and the second cooking compartment (15) being delimited by the cooking chamber (3) and the separation element (13), and in which, in the first use configuration, food arranged in the first cooking compartment (14) can be heated by at least one of the upper heating device (8) and the lower heating device (12), and food arranged in the second cooking compartment (15) can be heated by at least one of the upper heating device (8) and the lower heating device (12); and a second use configuration, in which the cooking device (1) comprises a single main cooking compartment (16), the single main cooking compartment (16) being at least partially delimited by the cooking chamber (3), and in which, in the second use configuration, food arranged in the main cooking compartment (16) can be heated by both the upper heating device (8) and the lower heating device (12).

2. The cooking device (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The main cooking compartment (16) has a cooking volume which substantially corresponds to the sum of the cooking volumes of the first and second cooking compartments (14, 15).

3. The cooking device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The separation element (13) has a general plate shape.

4. The cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cooking chamber (3) comprises an access opening (4), and the cooking device (1) comprises a door (5), which is movable between a closed position, in which the door (5) closes the access opening (4) and prevents access to the cooking chamber (3), and an open position, in which the door (5) releases the access opening (4) and allows access to the cooking chamber (3).

5. The cooking device (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The door (5) is mounted to be pivotable about a pivot axis which is substantially horizontal when the cooking device (2) rests on a horizontal surface.

6. The cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a first cooking container and a second cooking container, wherein the first cooking container and the second cooking container are configured to receive food to be cooked and are respectively configured to be at least partially received in the first cooking compartment (14) and the second cooking compartment (15).

7. The cooking device (1) according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the first cooking container and the second cooking container includes a container body and a grip handle detachably fixed to the corresponding container body.

8. The cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, having a first variant of the first usage configuration, in which the separation element (13) is configured to extend substantially horizontally, and the first and second cooking compartments (14, 15) are configured to be arranged superimposed on each other when the cooking device (1) is placed on a horizontal surface.

9. The cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, having a second variant of the first usage configuration, in which the separation element (13) is configured to extend substantially vertically, and the first and second cooking compartments (14, 15) are configured to be arranged side by side with each other when the cooking device (1) is placed on a horizontal surface.

10. The cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The separating element (13) is mounted so as to be movable in the cooking chamber (3) between a first position, in which the separating element (13) and the cooking chamber (3) define at least the first cooking compartment (14) and the second cooking compartment (15); and a second position, in which the separating element (13) and the cooking chamber (3) define the single main cooking compartment (16).

11. The cooking device (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The separation element (13) is mounted so as to be movable in translation relative to the frame (2) of the cooking device (1) along a displacement direction (D).

12. The cooking device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The separating element (13) is configured to form a bottom wall of the main cooking compartment (16) when the separating element (13) occupies the second position.

13. The cooking device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein: The separation element (13) is configured to form a side wall of the main cooking compartment (16) when the separation element (13) occupies the second position.

14. The cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The separation element (13) is detachable, and when the cooking device (1) is in the first use configuration, the separation unit (13) is located in the cooking chamber (3), and when the cooking device (1) is in the second use configuration, the separation unit (13) can be removed from the cooking chamber (3).

15. Cooking device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising steam generating means configured to generate a steam flow in the cooking chamber (3).

16. The cooking device (1) according to claim 15, wherein: When the cooking device (1) is in the first usage configuration, the food arranged in the first cooking compartment (14) can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device, and / or the food arranged in the second cooking compartment (15) can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device, and, when the cooking device (1) is in the second usage configuration, the food arranged in the main cooking compartment (16) can come into contact with the steam flow generated by the steam generating device.

17. The cooking device (1) according to claim 15 or 16, comprises a control unit (UC), which is configured to control the operation of the steam generating device and simultaneously control the operation of the upper heating device (8) and / or the lower heating device (12) when the cooking device (2) is in the first usage configuration or in the second usage configuration.

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