Hot air cooking appliance with multiple working configurations

Abstract

The invention relates to a hot-air cooking appliance (1) comprising a heating block (2) equipped with heating means and a base (3) equipped with a housing (9) on which the heating block (2) is mounted so as to define a first operating configuration of the cooking appliance (1), according to which the heating block (2) is arranged in the housing (9). The invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a base (3) and a housing (9) capable of accommodating a cooking vessel (10) equipped with an upper opening intended to be arranged opposite the heating means (2), the heating block being configured to be stably placed in an inverted position above the base (3), and the base (3) comprising a support mechanism (43) provided with a base (27) facing the vessel (10) of the heating means capable of accommodating the cooking vessel (10), the cooking apparatus has a second working configuration that allows food to be cooked in a container disposed on a heating block in an inverted position above the base and to heat the bottom of the container.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This invention is a divisional application of a patent application with an application date of August 24, 2020, application number 202010856496.8, and invention name “Hot air cooking device with multiple working configurations”. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a hot air cooking device which allows the cooking of food by circulating hot air, said cooking being carried out using only a small amount of oil or even without using any oil at all.

[0004] The main object of the present invention is to reduce the size of a hot air cooking device to facilitate its storage. Background Art

[0005] Hot air cooking devices are well known to those skilled in the art, these are generally called "hot air fryers". Such devices allow to cook food with a significantly reduced amount of greasy substances, or even to completely eliminate them, this cooking being carried out only by hot air circulating in a cooking chamber containing the food to be cooked. Thus, it is possible to consume more nutritious food, which can be of vegetable or animal origin, such as chips, vegetables, meat or fish.

[0006] Hot air cooking devices generally comprise a closed base incorporating a removable slot. The slot allows receiving the food to be cooked directly or by placing the food to be cooked in a removable basket itself located in the slot. Once the food is placed in the slot and the slot is placed in the base, the cooking device is closed to form a cooking chamber combining the slot, the possible basket and the food. Hot air then circulates in the cooking chamber by means of a heating block arranged in the upper part of the cooking device above the base, the circulation of the hot air allowing the cooking of the food placed in the slot to be achieved. The food is placed in a bowl. The heating block has heating means and air circulation means to ensure that the heated air circulates in the cooking chamber.

[0007] This design of hot air cooking devices has the drawback of a limited number of cooking modes, the slots having to be placed on a base to form a heating chamber and allow the food to be cooked by circulating hot air in said slots. Summary of the invention

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to increase the different types of cooking that can be achieved with a hot air cooking device.

[0009] Another object is to make the hot air cooking device easily stowable when not in use.

[0010] Another object is to devise a more economical structure of the cooking device.

[0011] Another goal is to limit the use of additional plates.

[0012] The main object of the present invention is achieved by designing a hot air cooking device, which includes a heating block arranged at the top and a base arranged at the bottom. The heating block includes heating means allowing the air to be heated and circulation means allowing the heated air to be moved. The base includes a housing, above which the heating block is removably mounted to define a first working configuration of the cooking device, according to which the housing is capable of accommodating a cooking container equipped with an upper opening arranged opposite the heating means. In addition, according to the present invention, the heating block is configured to be stably placed in an inverted position on the base and includes a supporting mechanism capable of accommodating the cooking container by arranging the base of the container facing the heating means so that the cooking device has a second working configuration, which allows food to be cooked in a container arranged on the heating block, which is inverted on the base and heats the bottom of the container.

[0013] This design of the cooking device makes it possible to at least double the working configuration, the device being able to be used in a conventional manner according to a first working configuration, that is to say by circulating hot air in the cooking vessel, which enters through the upper opening of the cooking vessel, or according to a second working configuration, by placing the cooking vessel on an inverted heating block and stably arranged on a base and heating the bottom of the cooking vessel. The second working configuration allows, for example, the preparation of stews.

[0014] According to the hot air cooking device of the invention, the heating block comprises a profile configured so that, in the flipped position of the heating block above the base, a dedicated portion of the heating block embeds in the housing of the base to reduce the height of the cooking device in the second working configuration. Advantageously, this allows lowering the position of the cooking container when placing it on the flipped heating block on the base, which will facilitate access to the upper opening of the cooking container, for example for mixing food during cooking. "Embedding" means inserting the dedicated portion of the heating block flipped on the base into the housing in a specific way until a defined stop position is reached, in which the flipped heating block rests on the base and is stabilized, which allows placing the container on the flipped heating block without the risk of falling.

[0015] The reduced height of the cooking device has another advantage when the heating block is turned over and placed in a stable manner on the base. In fact, according to the hot air cooking device of the invention, the turned-over position of the heating block on the base allows to define a storage configuration of the cooking device. According to this storage configuration, the heating block is placed in the turned-over position on the base by embedding the dedicated part of the heating block in the housing of the base. The reduced height of the cooking device in this storage configuration will allow it to be placed more easily on a shelf of a cabinet or on a shelf on a rack without being restricted by its height.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the dedicated portion of the heating block has a determined shape so that, in the storage configuration of the device, the dedicated portion of the heating block can be inserted into the upper opening of the container placed in the housing of the base. Advantageously, this allows the container to remain in the housing of the base so as to avoid storing the container separately, while still allowing the height of the cooking device to be reduced to facilitate its storage.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the base comprises a profile provided with an upper edge, and the heating block comprises an upper portion comprising a reduced area defining a shoulder on the profile of the heating block. When the heating block is in the flipped position and embedded in the base, the shoulder rests on the upper edge of the profile of the base.

[0018] According to the embodiment, when the cooking device is placed in the first working configuration, the profile of the heating block includes a lower edge that abuts against an upper edge of the profile of the base. In addition, a hooking device is implemented between the upper edge on the base and the lower edge on the heating block to keep the cooking device in its first working configuration.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the heating block comprises an upper surface provided with a gripping handle. The gripping handle facilitates the operation of the heating block to switch the heating block from the working configuration to the storage configuration and vice versa, ie from the storage configuration to the working configuration.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the heating block can be placed independently of the base directly on the upper opening of the cooking container. Thus, the heating block can be removed from the base and placed directly on the cooking container arranged on a table or kitchen surface. The cooking container can be placed in the housing of the base of the cooking device, or on the contrary, can be of any design, that is to say not suitable for the housing, but still able to accommodate the heating block; for example, the cooking container can be a frying pan or a pot with two handles.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the base comprises a front opening communicating with the housing and capable of allowing the passage of a cooking container, when the cooking container is in its first working configuration, in order to insert and remove it from the housing. In addition, the base comprises two side walls, each of which is respectively provided with a free edge adjacent to the front opening and having a transverse cutout on the side wall and leading to the free edge. Each of the cutouts is capable of accommodating a gripping element of a cooking container, so as to maintain manual access to each gripping element of the cooking container through the side wall when inserting or removing the cooking container from the housing.

[0022] This design of the hot air cooking device allows the food to be cooked to be placed directly in the cooking container, which is used not only in its first working configuration of the cooking device to realize said cooking by circulating hot air in said cooking container with the help of a heating monolith, but also to realize cooking directly on the dining table, without having to transfer the cooked food to other dishes. On the one hand, this allows to reduce the number of dishes to be washed. On the other hand, the fact that the cooked food is not transferred to the dishes, but directly using the cooking container that has just been used for cooking and whose walls are therefore still hot, allows the cooked food to be kept warm until they are served on the plate. In addition, the permanent presence of the front opening on the base makes it possible to reduce the amount of material required for the design of the cooking device, which reduces its total manufacturing costs. At the end of the use of the cooking device, depending on the embodiment of the cooking device, the cooking container can be stored together with the other cooking utensils, or even remain in the housing of the base, and if designed, the cooking device can be placed in the above-mentioned storage configuration.

[0023] According to the embodiment of the hot air cooking device, when the cooking container is inserted into the housing, the cutout allows the gripping element of the cooking container to protrude to the outside of the side wall. Therefore, during the entire operation of the cooking container, the gripping element of the cooking container can be properly held from the outside of the base.

[0024] Preferably, according to said embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the cutout is able to support a gripping element of the cooking container when said cooking container is inserted into the housing. This allows containers of different heights to be used with the cooking device. However, as a variant, a base can be designed on the base, which supports the cooking container, while the gripping element is simply slid into the cutout on the side wall of the base. However, said variant determines the height of the container, which must be adjusted in order to enable the gripping element to slide in the cutout when the container rests on the base.

[0025] Preferably, according to said embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the base comprises a base arranged below the front opening and the housing. In addition, the base comprises a guiding system, which enables the height of the gripping element of the cooking container to be aligned with the cutout at the beginning of the insertion of the cooking container through the front opening. Intuitively, the introduction of the container into the housing is facilitated by correctly positioning the gripping element of the container relative to the cutout in the side wall. According to one embodiment, the guiding system comprises at least one guiding ramp, preferably three guiding ramps.

[0026] Preferably, according to the described embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the cooking device comprises a lifting device capable of lifting the cooking container disposed in the housing so that the cooking container faces the heating block.

[0027] Preferably, according to said embodiment of the hot air cooking device, the side walls of the base each comprise at least one supporting element on their inner surface, said supporting element being suitable for accommodating abutment elements of a cooking utensil by moving said cooking utensil away from the heating block. Thus, according to said embodiment, the cooking device is designed to accommodate firstly a cooking container, but also one or more other cooking utensils, as shown below. Preferably, according to said embodiment, the inner surfaces of the side walls each comprise at least two supporting elements, said supporting elements being arranged at different heights on each of said inner surfaces, said supporting elements being able to accommodate one or another of the abutment elements of the cooking utensil according to at least two different heights by moving the cooking utensil away from the heating block in a first working configuration, said heating block being in a normal position. Thus, the cooking device comprises at least two positions for separating the cooking utensil from the heating block when the cooking device is positioned in the housing.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a cooking system and a cooking accessory kit comprising a hot air cooking device having one or another of the above-mentioned features, comprising at least one cooking container equipped with an upper opening and a bottom, wherein the at least one cooking container can be placed in the housing in a first working configuration of the cooking device so that in a second working configuration, the upper opening of the cooking device faces the heating device and is supported above the base by the inverted heating block so that the bottom of the heating block is exposed to the heating device.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the cooking system, as described above, the hot air cooking device is implemented to include a front opening and a cutout on the side wall of the base. In addition, at least one cooking container is equipped with two gripping elements, and the at least one cooking container can be passed through the front opening into the housing of the base of the hot air cooking device so as to place the two gripping elements in the two cutouts on the side wall of the base, respectively.

[0030] According to the cooking system of the invention, when the at least one cooking container is inserted into the housing and the cooking device is in its first working configuration, a sealing device is provided between the upper opening of the at least one cooking container and the heating block. The presence of the sealing device allows to ensure the circulation of hot air in the container through the heating block, thereby avoiding the escape of the hot air at the junction between the upper opening of the container and the heating block. However, a variant without the sealing device can be envisaged, in which case the upper opening of the container is placed near the heating block, so as to concentrate the circulation of hot air in the container while limiting the leakage of hot air in the container through the space remaining between the top opening of the container and the heating block. Preferably, the above-mentioned sealing device comprises a sealing gasket arranged on the edge of the upper opening of the at least one cooking container or on the edge of the lower opening of the heating block.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the hot air cooking system, a locking device is implemented between at least one cooking container and the base to lock the cooking container in place in the housing. This allows preventing accidental removal of the cooking container during cooking.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the cooking system, at least one cooking container is transparent. This allows observing the food during cooking of the food in the cooking container, in particular monitoring said cooking of the food. However, opaque cooking containers are also conceivable.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the cooking system, the cooking accessory kit comprises at least one cover that can be placed on the upper opening of the at least one cooking container when the container is removed from the housing at the end of cooking in the first working configuration, or when the container is placed on the inverted heating block in the second working configuration. For example, the accessory kit can include as many covers as cooking containers, the multiple covers being suitable for multiple cooking containers, or a single cover being suitable for all cooking containers. Such a cover allows the food to be kept warm after cooking and placing the cooking container on the table, waiting for the dish to be served.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the cooking system, the hot air cooking device comprises the aforementioned features, which are characterized in that at least one supporting element is designed on each inner surface of the side walls of the base. In addition, the cooking accessory kit comprises at least one cooking utensil complementary to the at least one cooking container, each cooking utensil comprising two abutment elements capable of resting on at least one supporting element on the inner surface of the two side walls of the base, so as to keep the at least one cooking utensil in the housing of the base, at a certain distance from the heating block. In this way, the cooking functionality of the cooking device can be further extended compared to traditional cooking devices. The at least one cooking utensil is particularly selected from a grate, a plate and a flat rigid mold equipped with a mold groove; however, other cooking utensils can be envisaged within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following description based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a general view of a cooking device according to the present invention in a first working configuration, having a cooking vessel placed in a housing of a base;

[0037] Figure 2 shows a general view of a cooking device in a stowed configuration according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 3 The cooking device is shown Figure 1 The first working configuration shown is transformed into Figure 2 An overall view of the storage configuration shown;

[0039] Figure 4 A heating block of a cooking device according to one embodiment is shown;

[0040] Figure 5 shows locking means of a cooking vessel placed in the housing of the base, and hooking means for attaching the heating block to the base in a first working configuration of the cooking device;

[0041] Figure 6 shows a locking device between the cooking vessel and the base before installation;

[0042] Figure 7 Shows the installation process Figure 6 Locking device;

[0043] Figure 8 Shows the installed Figure 6 and Figure 7 Locking device;

[0044] Fig. 9 A heating block is partially shown placed directly on the cooking vessel;

[0045] Fig.10 A guide system is shown on the base of a partially shown pedestal;

[0046] Fig.11 A grate type cooking appliance is shown;

[0047] Fig.12 A variation of the cooking device is shown in which the heating block is in a stowed configuration and partially inserted into a receptacle of a housing which is itself placed on a base of the cooking device;

[0048] Fig.13A variation of the cooking device is shown in a second operating configuration, with the heating unit in an inverted position above the base supporting the cooking vessel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] In the following part of the description, the term "device" is used to denote the hot air cooking device according to the invention. Likewise, the term "container" is used to denote the cooking container. In addition, for different variant embodiments of the device and the container, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or equivalent features.

[0050] Considering the normal position of the elements of the device in the first working configuration, the terms "upper" and "lower" are used in this specification, such as Figure 1 As shown, the device is placed on a table or cooking surface facing the user.

[0051] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the device 1 comprises a heating block 2 in its upper part and a base 3 in its lower part.

[0052] The base 3 comprises a base 4, two side walls 5, 6, a bottom wall 7 and a front opening 8. The side walls 5, 6 each comprise a free edge 5a, 6a adjoining the front opening 8. The base 3 thus defines a housing 9 situated below the heating block 2. This housing 9 allows for housing a container 10, as will be described in detail later.

[0053] When device 1 is in Figure 1 In the first working configuration shown, the heating block 2 allows hot air to circulate downwardly toward the housing 9 so that when a container 10 is placed in the housing 9, the hot air circulates in the container 10. The heating block 2 is designed to circulate the hot air so as to heat it and return it to the container 10 disposed below the heating block 2. The heating block 2 includes an air inlet 42, a resistive air heater 11 ( Figure 2 and Fig.12 ) and a fan-type hot air circulation device (not shown) have conventionally been used on hot air cooking devices of the hot air fryer type.

[0054] Unlike conventional cooking devices designed to place the trough and, optionally, the basket in a closed cooking chamber, the device 1 according to the invention is preferably designed to ensure a seal between the heating block 2 and the container 10 when the container 10 is placed in the housing 9 on the base 3, so as to prevent the hot air circulating in the container 10 from escaping from the top of the container 10. To this end, a seal 12 can be placed on the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2 so as to cooperate with the upper edge 14 of the container 10. The upper edge 14 defines an upper opening on the container 10, which allows the food to be put in and taken out, and the hot air to enter through this opening. When a plurality of containers 10 with different capacities and / or made of different materials (stainless steel, transparent or opaque glass, aluminum...) can be used with the device 1, the seal 12 is preferably mounted on the heating block 2. It is also conceivable to place the seal 12 on the upper edge 14 of the container 10, instead of on the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2. This seal 12 is preferably removable to facilitate cleaning and even positioned on one or other of the containers 10 that can be used with the device 1 , in a variant designed to house such a seal 12 .

[0055] A variant can also be considered in which the container 10 of the device 1 is not sealed from the heating block 2, while a small gap is maintained between the upper edge 14 of the container 10 and the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2. In this case, the hot air circulating in the container 10 under the action of the heating block 2 can partially escape through this gap between the edges 13, 14.

[0056] like Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 5 to 8 As shown, the side walls 5, 6 of the base 3 include cutouts 15, 16, respectively. The two cutouts 15, 16 are arranged transversely on the side walls 5, 6 and open to the free edges 5a, 6a of the side walls 5, 6. The container 10 includes two gripping elements 18 arranged opposite to each other on its contour 17. The single gripping element 18 is arranged on the side walls 5, 6. Figure 1 and Figures 5 to 8 1, but the principle is the same as that of the other element arranged on the side opposite to the container 10. These gripping elements 18 are pivotally mounted on the profile 17 of the container 10 along the axis X1 so as to be able to move from an extended position perpendicular to the profile 17 (e.g. Figure 6 ) to a position relative to the wall fold of the profile 17 (as shown) Figure 8The side walls 5, 6 of the base 3 each comprise a cavity 21, 21' on their outer surface 19, 20. The cutouts 15, 16 preferably have the shape of a narrow slot allowing the gripping elements 18 to be inserted therein in the deployed position, which allows the container 10 to be inserted into the housing 9 through the front opening 8. The cutouts 15, 16 may be slightly flared at the free edges 5a, 6a of the side walls 5, 6 in order to introduce the gripping elements 18 into the deployed position. Once the container 10 is placed in the housing 9 under the heating block 2, the gripping elements 18 protrude from the cutouts 15, 16 and are accessible from the outside of the side walls 5, 6, which allows these gripping elements 18 to be properly gripped during the insertion of the container 10 into the housing 9 and its removal from the housing 9. Of course, the diameter of the profile 17 on the container 10 and / or the length of the gripping elements 18 are adjusted according to the distance between the housing 9 and the two side walls 5, 6 on the base 3. Thereby, these gripping elements 18 can be grasped from Figure 6 The expanded position shown is Figure 8 The folded position shown is pivoted, the gripping element 18 being housed in the cavities 21, 21' on the side walls 5, 6. The cavities 21, 21' thus form a stop that prevents the release of the gripping element 18 of the container 10 in the folded position. This allows to ensure that the container 10 remains in the housing 9 during operation of the heater 2.

[0057] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the gripping element 18 has a body 22 extended by a handle 23, the body 22 and the handle forming a substantially "L" shape. As described above, the body is pivotally mounted relative to the profile 17 of the container 10 about the axis X1. The body 22 of the gripping element 18 abuts against the lower surfaces 15a, 16a of the cutouts 15, 16, which enables the side walls 5, 6 to abut against the container 10 inserted into the housing 9. The shape of the body 22 allows a cam 24 to be defined thereon, which abuts against the lower surfaces 15a, 16a of the cutouts 15, 16. The lower parts 15a, 16a of the cutouts 15, 16 and the cam 24 thus define lifting means 24, 15a, 16a. When the gripping element 18 is lifted from the housing 9, the cam 24 is lifted. Figure 6 The deployed position shown is pivoted to Figure 8 During the folded position shown, in which the handle is received in the cavity 21, the cam 24 allows the container 10 to move upwardly so that its upper edge 14 is positioned against the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2, as shown. Figure 1 As shown, the seal 12 is located between the upper edge 14 and the lower edge 13. Conversely, passing from the folded position to the unfolded position allows the container 10 to be lowered to release it from the heating block 2, thereby allowing the gripping element 18 to be grasped in the unfolded position and the container 10 to be removed from the housing 9 of the base 3.

[0058] Other features can be envisaged on the device 1 to raise the container 10 in the housing 9 of the base 3 and bring the upper edge 14 of the container 10 closer to the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2, whether or not there is a cam 24 on the body 22 of each gripping element 18. In practice, it is possible to design a lifting ramp (not shown) inclined upwards and arranged directly on the lower surface 15a, 16a of the cutouts 15, 16, against which the body 22 of the gripping element 18 rests during the insertion of the container 10 into the housing 9, thus allowing the container 10 to be raised.

[0059] like Fig.10 As shown, the base 4 of the base 3 may also include a guide system on its upper surface 25, the guide system including guide slopes 26a, 26b, 26c, preferably including three guide slopes 26a, 26b, 26c distributed in a triangle, two of the guide slopes 26a, 26b guide slopes are arranged forward at the front opening 8, and the third guide slope 26c is arranged near the bottom wall 7, as shown in FIG. Fig.10 In particular, these guide ramps 26a, 26b, 26c are preferably provided with a suitable container 10 (such as Figure 1 When the container 10 is inserted into the shell 9, the bottom 27 of the container 10 first abuts against the first two guide slopes 26a, 26b and then also abuts against the third guide slope 26c so as to position the gripping element 18 relative to the cutouts 15, 16 so that the gripping element 18 does not abut against the free edges 5a, 6a of the side walls 5, 6 when the container 10 is inserted into the shell 9.

[0060] Other features can be envisaged on the device 1 to lock the gripping element 18 in the cutouts 15, 16 and ensure that the container 10 is thereby locked in the housing 9. In practice, the device 1 can, for example, include a locking device (not shown) comprising two locking pieces articulated on the side walls 5, 6 to be moved manually or by actuating a manipulating member acting respectively on the locking pieces, the locking pieces being released from the cutouts 15, 16 in a first position to penetrate the gripping element 18 and in a second position closing the cutouts 15, 16 at the free edges 5a, 6a of the side walls 5, 6 to form a stop preventing the gripping element 18 from being extracted from these cutouts 15, 16. According to this variant, the gripping element 18 can be fixed to the profile 17 of the container 10 or on the contrary, the purpose of the articulation as described above being to be able to raise the container in the housing, thanks to the presence of the cam 24.

[0061] Additional features may be envisaged on the device 1 to allow it to be used with a cooking utensil 28 provided instead of the container 10 placed in the housing 9. For example, the cooking utensil 28 may be a grate 29 (such as a grill) for making barbecue. Fig.11), but it is possible to envisage a plate for making quiche or pizza, or even a mould with a flat rigid surface on which one or more mould recesses are arranged. Such a cooking utensil 28 is arranged in the housing 9 and supported by the side walls 5, 6 and even by the bottom wall 7. To this end, the inner surfaces 5b, 6b of the side walls 5, 6 comprise supporting elements (not shown) on the side walls 5, 6, for example in the form of transverse ribs, and the cooking utensil 28 comprises on its sides two abutment elements 28a, 28b, against which the abutment elements abut when the cooking utensil 28 is placed in the housing 9. For example, two opposite parts 30a, 30b of the profile 30 of the grate bar 29 abut against two ribs arranged at the same height on the inner surfaces 5b, 6b of the side walls 5, 6. A plurality of ribs (e.g. two or three ribs, or even more ribs) may be arranged transversely at different heights on each inner surface 5b, 6b of the side walls 5, 6 to allow the positioning of the cooking utensil 28 at different heights within the housing 9 so that the cooking utensil 28 is more or less distant relative to the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2. The heating block 2 will be used differently depending on the container 10 or the cooking utensil 28 disposed within the housing 9 of the base 3. In practice, when the container 10 is placed within the housing 9, the heating device 11 and the hot air circulation device of the heating block 2 are used simultaneously. Whereas in the case where the cooking utensil 28 is placed in the housing 9, only the heating device 11 of the heating block 2 can be used.

[0062] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the heating block 2 can be removed from the base 3. The heating block 2 includes a profile 31, which includes a first portion 31a and a second portion 31b. The reduced area 32 is arranged on a portion of the second portion 31b of the profile 31, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, this allows a shoulder 33 to be defined between the first portion 31a and the second portion 31b. When the heating block 2 is arranged in the position of the first working configuration of the device 1, the first portion 31a is arranged in the lower part and the second portion 31b is arranged in the upper part. The base 3 has a profile 34 comprising the side walls 5, 6 and the bottom wall 7. Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment, the profile 34 of the base 3 is integral, but the profile 34 may be formed by three parts 34a, 34b, 34c constituting the two side walls 5, 6 and the bottom wall 7 of the base 3, such as Fig.10As shown. In the first working configuration of the device 1, when the heating block 2 is normally located on the base 3, the contour 34 of the base 3 comprises an upper edge 35, on which the lower edge 36 rests on the heating block 2. The upper edge 35 of the contour 34 comprises a notch 37, and the lower edge 36 of the heating block 2 comprises lugs 38 defining hooking means 37, 38. The lugs 38 are respectively engaged in the notch 37 to hook the heating block on the base 3 in the first working configuration of the device 1. The lugs 38 can be engaged in the notch 37, for example, by slightly snapping it in the notch 37 during the engagement of the lug 3. Conversely, the lugs 38 can be actuated, for example, by designing a transmission mechanism (not shown), which is arranged between the lug 38 and a gripping handle 39 arranged on the upper surface 40 of the heating unit 2, which gripping handle 39 also allows the heating block 2 to be manipulated to be released from the base 3 or arranged on the base 3.

[0063] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, once the heating unit 2 is released from the base 3, it can be put into the flipped position and then placed above the base 3 in a precise orientation so as to be able to accommodate the reduced area 32 in the profile 34 of the base 3, until the upper edge 35 of the profile 34 of the base 3 comes to bear against the shoulder 33, which allows the second portion 31b of the heating block 2 to be inserted into the housing 9 of the base 3. This allows a second working configuration and a storage configuration of the device 1 to be defined, according to which the heating unit 2 is in the flipped position with its second portion 31b arranged below the upper edge 35 of the profile 34 of the base 3 and partially embedded in the housing 9 of the base 3, so that the height of the device 1 in the storage configuration is less than that of the device 1 in the working configuration. This embedding ensures a proper stability of the heating block 2 above the base 3 in the flipped position. The second working configuration of the device 1 will be described in more detail below.

[0064] Fig.12 and Fig.13 A variation of the device 1 is shown in FIG. Figures 1 to 11 The features presented are similar, the main difference being that the shape of the second part 31b of the profile 31 of the heating block 2 is smaller than the diameter of the profile 17 of the container 10, which allows the second part 31b to be inserted into the container 10 when the heating block 2 is in an inverted position, that is, in a storage configuration or in a second working configuration, while maintaining its position in the shell 9 of the base 3.

[0065] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Fig.13 As shown, according to different variants of the design of the device 1, the heating block 2 comprises a support mechanism formed by a peripheral edge 43, which allows the bottom 27 of the container 10 to be accommodated when the heating block 2 is in the inverted position and stabilized above the base 3, as shown in FIG. Fig.13As shown (this is for Figure 2 and Figure 3 Thus, the heating block 2 in the flipped position can support the container 10 by placing the bottom 27 of the container 10 near the heating device 11, thereby allowing the container 10 to be heated through the bottom 27 to cook food according to the second working configuration.

[0066] The invention also relates to a cooking system comprising an apparatus 1 having the aforementioned features and an accessory kit comprising at least one container 10. Preferably, the accessory kit comprises a plurality of containers 10 having different profile 17 heights and / or made of different materials (e.g. glass, aluminum or even other materials with coatings suitable for cooking food). The accessory kit may also comprise one or more covers (not shown) suitable for the various containers so that the container 10 can be covered once it is removed from the housing 9 and capable of retaining the heat in the container 10 containing the cooked food. In a suitable example of the apparatus 1, the accessory kit may also comprise a cooking utensil 28 as described above.

[0067] Other variations are conceivable within the scope of the invention. For example, the gripping element 18 may have a different shape, and the shape of the cutouts 15 , 16 on the side walls 5 , 6 may differ from the shape of the slots in order to accommodate the gripping element 18 .

[0068] exist Fig. 9 In the variant shown, the removable heating block 2 can be placed directly on other types of cooking containers 41 of suitable diameter, such as a pan or a crockpot. Thus, the accessory kit can also include such a cooking container 41 in addition to one or more containers 10 designed to be inserted into the housing 9 of the base 3. In this variant of the device 1, the seal 12 is preferably implemented on the lower edge 13 of the heating block 2. A pan or a crockpot or even other types of these cooking containers 41 allow the heating block 2 to be accommodated without having to be placed in the housing 9 of the base 3. Thus, the user can place this heating block 2 on other pans or crockpots that are already in the kitchen and are suitable for receiving the heating block 2.

Claims

1. A hot air cooking device (1), comprising a heating block (2) arranged at an upper part and a base (3) arranged at a lower part, the heating block comprising a heating device (11) allowing heated air and a circulation device allowing the heated air to be moved, and the base (3) comprising a housing (9), the heating block (2) being mounted above the housing to define a first working configuration of the cooking device (1), according to which the housing (9) is capable of accommodating a cooking container (10) provided with an upper opening arranged opposite to the heating block (2), the heating block (2) allowing hot air to circulate downwardly towards the housing (9), so that when the container (10) is placed in the housing (9), the hot air circulates in the container (10), characterized in that The heating block (2) is configured to be stably placed in an inverted position above the base (3) and includes a support mechanism (43) capable of accommodating a cooking container (10) by arranging the bottom (27) of the container (10) facing the heating device (11) so that the cooking device (1) has a second working configuration, wherein the second working configuration allows food to be cooked in a container arranged on the heating block (2), the heating block (2) being inverted above the base (3) and heating the bottom of the container.

2. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The heating block comprises a profile configured so that, in a flipped position of the heating block above the base (3), a dedicated portion of the heating block (2) is embedded in a housing (9) of the base (3) to reduce the height of the cooking device in the second working configuration.

3. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The flipped position of the heating block above the base allows defining a storage configuration of the cooking device (1).

4. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The dedicated part of the heating block (2) has a determined shape so that in the storage configuration of the device (1), the dedicated part of the heating block (2) can be inserted into the upper opening of the container (10) placed in the shell (9) of the base (3).

5. The hot air cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The base (3) comprises a profile (34) provided with an upper edge (35), and the heating block (2) comprises an upper part (31b), the upper part (31b) comprising a reduced area (32), the reduced area (32) defining a shoulder (33) on the profile (31) of the heating block (2), the shoulder (33) resting on the upper edge (35) when the heating block (2) is in an inverted position and embedded in the base (3).

6. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that The profile (31) of the heating block (2) comprises a lower edge (36) which abuts against the upper edge (35) of the profile (34) of the base (3) when the cooking device (1) is placed in its first working configuration.

7. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that Hooking means (37, 38) are implemented between the upper edge (35) on the base (3) and the lower edge (36) on the heating block (2) to keep the cooking device (1) in its first working configuration.

8. The hot air cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The heating block (2) comprises an upper surface (40) provided with a gripping handle (39).

9. The hot air cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The heating block (2) can be placed directly on the upper opening of the cooking container (41) independently of the base (3).

10. The hot air cooking device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The base (3) comprises a front opening (8) connected to the shell (9) and capable of allowing the cooking container (10) to pass through, so as to insert the cooking container into the shell (9) and remove the cooking container from the shell (9) when the cooking device (1) is in its first working configuration. The base (3) also comprises two side walls (5, 6), each side wall (5, 6) is respectively provided with a free edge (5a, 6a) adjacent to the front opening (8), and has a transverse cutout (15, 16) on the side wall (5, 6) and leading to the free edge (5a, 6a), each of the cutouts (15, 16) being capable of accommodating a gripping element (18) of the cooking container (10) so as to maintain manual access to each gripping element (18) of the cooking container (10) when the cooking container (10) is inserted into or removed from the shell (9) through the side wall (5, 6).

11. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that When the cooking vessel (10) is inserted into the housing (9), the cutouts (15, 16) are capable of supporting a gripping element (18) of the cooking vessel (10).

12. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The base (3) comprises a seat (4) arranged below the front opening (8) and the housing (9), the seat comprising a guide system (26a, 26b, 26c) capable of aligning a gripping element (18) of the cooking container (10) with the cutouts (15, 16) when the cooking container (10) begins to be inserted through the front opening (8).

13. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 10, comprising a lifting device (24, 15a, 16a) capable of lifting the cooking container (10) placed in the housing (9) so as to move the cooking container (10) toward the heating block (2).

14. The hot air cooking device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that The side walls (5, 6) of the base (3) each comprise, on their inner surface (5b, 6b), at least one supporting element capable of accommodating abutment elements (28a, 28b) of a cooking utensil (28) by moving the cooking utensil (28) away from the heating block (2).

15. A cooking system comprising a hot air cooking device (1) having the features of any one of claims 1 to 14 and a cooking accessory kit comprising at least one cooking container (10) provided with an upper opening and a bottom, the at least one cooking container being placeable in a housing in a first working configuration of the cooking device so that its upper opening faces the heating device and is supported by the heating block in an inverted position on the base so that its bottom is exposed to the heating device in a second working configuration.

16. The cooking system according to claim 15, characterized in that: When the at least one cooking container (10) is inserted into the housing (9) and the cooking device is in its first working configuration, a sealing device is implemented between the upper opening of the at least one cooking container (10) and the heating block (2).

17. The cooking system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The at least one cooking container (10) is transparent.

18. The cooking system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The cooking accessory kit includes at least one cover that can be placed over an upper opening of the at least one cooking container (10).

19. The cooking system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The hot air cooking device (1) comprises the features of claim 14, and the cooking accessory set comprises at least one cooking utensil (28) complementary to at least one cooking container (10), each cooking utensil (28) comprising two abutment elements (28a, 28b) capable of resting on the inner surfaces (5b, 6b) of two side walls (5, 6) of at least one of the bases (3) so as to hold the at least one cooking utensil (28) in the housing (9) of the base (3) at a distance from the heating block (2), the at least one cooking utensil (28) being in particular selected from a grate (29), a plate and a flat rigid mould provided with a moulding groove.

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